Thela

"Rebellions are built on hope."

―Thela to Cassian Andor^[5]

Thela was a human bellhop who worked in the Palmo Plaza hotel on the planet Ghorman. At twelve years old he survived the Tarkin Massacre, which took place in the plaza and claimed the life of his father.

Biography

Early life

"It was Moff Tarkin. People wouldn't clear and he wanted to land... and more of us kept coming. We thought there was safety in numbers. Who would land a cruiser on a crowd of unarmed citizens?"

―Thela telling Cassian Andor about the Tarkin Massacre^[1]

Thela was born around 31 BBY^[2] and grew up on the planet Ghorman located along the Rimma Trade Route.^[6] In 19 BBY^[7] he attended a peaceful protest of the Galactic Empire in a plaza in the capital city Palmo. At the same time Moff Wilhuff Tarkin, a visiting official from the Empire wanted to land his cruiser in the plaza. Thinking there was safety in numbers more Ghormans kept coming to the plaza however Tarkin proceeded with the landing killing 500 unarmed citizens. Thela's father was killed while saving Thela from the massacre.^[1]

Thela eventually stared working as a bellhop at Palmo Plaza hotel located along the plaza. Thela's wife thought it was insane that they stayed so close to the massacre. While working there they hotel staff was asked not to discuss the event with guests.^[1] However in 3 BBY^[8] while showing Cassian Andor, a rebel who was traveling under the alias Varian Skye, his room in the hotel Thela described the events to Andor after the man expressed interest as well as sympathy for the event to Thela.^[1]

Rebellious hope

"Haven't gone very far, have I?"

―Thela to Andor, about his connection to Palmo Plaza^[1]

Thela activating a grenade from behind the hotel lobby desk

A year later, in 2 BBY, Thela was still working at the hotel when Andor once again checked into the hotel but this time under using the alias Ronni Googe, a journalist from Mid-Rim News. Thela recognized him from the previous stay but did not report him, instead after checking him in, Thela warned Andor that the hotel turned over its guest list to the Empire every afternoon.^[9] However Thela ended up not logging Andor in concealing his presence from the Empire. The following morning, Thela was working at the front desk when a squad of Imperial security troopers began moving the barricades from around the plaza. As Ghorman protestors began filling into the plaza Andor returned to the lobby where he handed Thela his room keycard while stating that he wasn't sure if he would be back. Before leaving Andor told Thela that he hoped things work out for him to which Thela responded by stating that Rebellions are built on hope.^[5] The two shared a long fraternal stare before Andor left the lobby.^[10]

Tensions at the protest outside continued to mount until the Empire fired the first shot of what would be known as the Ghorman Massacre. Members of a local rebel cell called the Ghorman Front who were in the crown began firing back resulting in a chaotic shootout. While taking cover behind the lobby desk, Thela waved at a group of hunkered guests at the front window of the of hotel to move away. Taking his advise the guests ran further into the hotel. As the battle continued, a group of stormtroopers fired into the crowd from near the front of the hotel. Seeing this, Thela activated a C-25 fragmentation grenade and threw it from his position behind the desk towards the hotel's windows, where it exploded and killed a number of troopers, though it is unclear if Thela was also caught in the blast. The explosion brought Syril Karn out of a catatonic state, leading him to recognize Cassian Andor and attack him, saving ISB Supervisor Dedra Meero from assassination.^[5]

Legacy

Main article: Rebellions are built on hope

Thela's comment of "rebellions are built on hope"^[5] stuck with Andor, who would go onto say it himself to Jyn Erso. As Erso found herself invested in the fight against the Empire, she repeated it at a Alliance High Command meeting,^[11] during which Alliance-aligned journalist Corwi Selgrothe was present and recording. Selgrothe went onto use the phrase in rebel propaganda spread across the galaxy.^[12]

Personality and traits

Thela was a human male with light skin, blue eyes, and brown hair.^[1]

Equipment

While working at the hotel Thela wore a uniform consisting of a green jacket, green vest with gold bands and a white shirt with a tall white collar over a black band decorated with gold bands. Bringing Andor's bags to his room, also wore white gloves and a green hat with two golden bands in the center of it.^[1] During the Ghorman Massacre, Thela was able to acquire a C-25 fragmentation grenade which he used against a group of stormtroopers.^[5]

Behind the scenes

Thela was portrayed by Stefan Crepon and appeared in the second season of the Disney+ television series Star Wars: Andor, first appearing in the season's fifth episode, "I Have Friends Everywhere" which was released on Disney+^[1] on April 29, 2025.^[13]